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Nelly’s: World-renowned Greek photographer

The Greek Herald
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Nelly’s: World-renowned Greek photographer

Elli Sougioultzoglou-Seraidari, better known as Nelly’s, was a Greek female photographer whose pictures helped shaped the visual image of Greece in the Western mind.

Early Life:

Nelly’s was born in Aidini (now Aydın), near Smyrna (now İzmir), Asia Minor.

Elli Sougioultzoglou-Seraidari, better known as Nelly’s.

She went to study photography in Germany under Hugo Erfurth and Franz Fiedler in 1920-1921, before the 1922 expulsion of the ethnic Greeks of Asia Minor by the Turks following the Greco-Turkish war (1919–1922).

In 1924, after establishing herself in Athens and opening a photography studio in Ermou Street, she adopted a more Greek-centred and conservative approach to her work.

Photographic work:

Nelly’s became the first Greek “national” advertiser, especially after her appointment as official photographer of the newly established Greek Ministry of Tourism.

From 1927 until the outbreak of World War II, Nelly’s travelled throughout Greece, documenting the entire panorama of Greek life.

LEFT: Coppersmith. Piraeus, circa 1930 Nelly’s (ΦΑ_11_int5).

As a Diaspora Greek, Nelly’s view of Greece tended to be somewhat “idealised.” Her photographs appeared in official tourist publications that were circulated abroad, and contributed to creating the earliest visual symbols of Greece’s “philosophy regarding tourism.”

She systematically depicted the ancient monuments and archaeological sites of Greece. Her experiments with natural light and her photographs of ancient temples, demonstrating their interrelationship, are true masterpieces.

In 1936, she photographed the Berlin Olympic Games and later in 1939, she was commissioned to decorate the interior of the Greek pavilion at the New York’s World Fair. She remained in the US in self-imposed exile following the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

Harvest scene from Epirus. Epirus, circa 1930 Nelly’s (ΦΑ_11_N4817).

Death and Legacy:

Nelly’s travelled to Greece, for a very short time, in 1949 and finally returned on March 2, 1966. She lived, together with her husband Angelos Seraidaris, at Nea Smyrni, Attica, and gave up photography.

In 1985, Nelly’s donated her photo archives and cameras to the Benaki Museum in Athens, while in 1987 she was presented with an honourary diploma and medal by the Hellenic Centre of Photography and the government.

In 1993, she was awarded the Order of the Phoenix by the President of the Greek Republic. In 1996, the Athens Academy presented her with its Arts and Letters Award.

Nelly’s died on either August 8 or August 17 in Nea Smyrni, Athens in 1998. She left behind a huge portfolio of creative work.

Source: Benaki Museum.

Sydney man’s large collection of rare Greek coins to be sold in online auction

Andriana Simos
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Sydney man’s large collection of rare Greek coins to be sold in online auction

An upcoming auction in Sydney of rare Greek coins and other medals and bank notes is a reminder of the value that might be locked up in the forgotten contents of a desk drawer, or that old money box or piggy bank.

According to auction organiser, Noble Numismatics, a Greece, Othon, five drachma of 1833 in uncirculated condition and one of the finest known is estimated to fetch bids of over $5,000.

A very large selection of Greek silver and bronze coinage (lots 4093 – 4388) dating from 359BC, is also estimated to fetch $3,000. These include: Carian Islands, Rhodes silver tetradrachm from mid-late 220s BC, and a Kingdom of Syria, Antiochos VI Dionysos silver tetradrachm of 143/2 BC.

  • A Greece, Othon, five drachma of 1833. Photo: Noble Numismatics.
  • Carian Islands, Rhodes silver tetradrachm from mid-late 220s BC. Photo: Noble Numismatics.

Ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine gold coinage (lots 4695 – 4771) dating from 323BC is also on offer by Noble Numismatics and is apparently hot property. Those to be auctioned are:

  • Greek, Kingdom of Baktria, Diodotos II gold stater of 255-246BC (lot 4702; estimate $4,000).
  • Roman, Faustina Senior (wife of Antoninus Pius) gold aureus of 147AD (lot 4706; estimate $5,000), and
  • Byzantine, Justinian II gold solidus of 685-695AD (lot 4747; estimate $2,000).

Due to the pandemic lockdown restrictions, the auction will have online live bidding only from August 30 – September 2, 2021. Bidders will need to register prior to the auction.

Man arrested after fatal daylight stabbing in Marrickville of Greek Australian dad

The Greek Herald
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Man arrested after fatal daylight stabbing in Marrickville of Greek Australian dad

A 62-year-old man of Greek background walked up to an acquaintance on a street in Sydney’s inner west and killed him by stabbing him multiple times in the torso, police have alleged.

According to The Australian, the alleged daylight attack in Marrickville prompted a major police operation that ended with the arrest of the Greek man in nearby Dulwich Hill on Friday afternoon.

Fatal turn of events:

Emergency services were told at midday on Friday that a man had been stabbed on Marrickville Rd.

Local police officers rushed to the scene and found a 55-year-old who had wounds to his upper body. The officers tried to revive him and were joined by paramedics, but the man’s life could not be saved.

The scene of the alleged daylight attack.

“He had a total of 25 minutes worth of resuscitation before we became aware that the patient would not survive his injuries,” Duty Operations Manager, Inspector Giles Buchanan, told 7 News.

Police began an intensive investigation which led them to a location on Denison Road in Dulwich Hill, where tactical operations officers and negotiators managed to arrest the alleged attacker.

The man was taken to hospital under police guard, where he was treated for injuries that were not sustained in either the alleged incident or during the arrest, police said.

The victim:

According to a GoFundMe launched by Sam Gravanis, the 55-year-old stabbing victim was a man named Sofoklis, who was battling cancer and has left behind an 8-year-old daughter and his elderly mother, Niki.

“This news has devastated his family,” the GoFundMe states.

There was a police operation in Dulwich Hill.

“We’ve set this gofundme to help raise funds to assist with Thea Niki and her 8-year-old granddaughter. These funds will go towards funeral expenses as well as ongoing support for the family. Thank you for any support you’re able to extend.”

Inner West Police Commander, Sam Crisafulli, told The Australian that the two men were known to each other but not related.

They were both known to police but had no links to organised or serious crime.

“The exact motive for this (alleged) murder is still under investigation. I don’t want to speculate why or what happened,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“It’s not what you would expect in the middle of a suburban area at all. And I suppose I just want to take this opportunity to reassure the community that it is safe in Marrickville.” 

Greece among 65 countries demanding safe passage of people out of Afghanistan

Andriana Simos
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Greece among 65 countries demanding safe passage of people out of Afghanistan

Greece has joined 65 other countries in asking that Afghans and international citizens who wish to depart, be allowed to do so.

State broadcaster ERT reported on Sunday that the Greek Foreign Ministry was seeking to secure the safe passage of two Afghan interpreters and their families. The translators had worked for a Greek unit.

“Afghans and international citizens who wish to depart must be allowed to do so; roads, airports and border crossing must remain open, and calm must be maintained,” the joint statement reads.

“The Afghan people deserve to live in safety, security and dignity. We in the international community stand ready to assist them.”

A man pulls a girl to get inside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan August 16, 2021. Photo: Reuters/Stringer.

Some of the other signatories on the statement are Australia, The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the US and UK, among many others.

This statement comes as the world watched on with dismay on Monday after two decades of a US-led Western campaign in Afghanistan collapsed within hours when the Taliban took control of the capital Kabul.

Chaos unfolded at Kabul international airport as thousands of Afghans tried to flee the country, with several people clinging to the outside of a US military plane as it took off and plunging to their deaths, officials said.

Britain and other European nations say they will not recognise any government formed by the Taliban and want the West to work together on a common stance.

Chaos at Kabul airport. Photo: AP News.

But UK and European leaders have so far not spoken forcefully on Afghanistan, and their hands are tied in many ways: They have little leverage over the Taliban and they are deeply reluctant to publicly criticise the withdrawal decision by the United States, their powerful NATO ally, or comment on their own role in the failed intervention.

NATO countries were left with little choice but to pull out the roughly 7,000 non-American forces in Afghanistan after US President Joe Biden announced in April that he was ending the US involvement in the war by September, 20 years after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

This morning, Biden defended his decision to withdraw troops, insisting it would be wrong to ask American troops to risk their lives for a cause that Afghan soldiers and political leaders were not willing to fight for.

“I stand squarely behind my decision,” Biden said at a press conference. “After 20 years, I’ve learned the hard way that there was never a good time withdraw US forces.”

Villages evacuated as winds fan two new blazes outside of Athens

The Greek Herald
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Villages evacuated as winds fan two new blazes outside of Athens

Fanned by strong winds, two new big wildfires erupted on Monday in hard-hit Greece, triggering evacuation alerts for villages southeast and northwest of Athens — only days after blazes consumed large tracts of forest north of the Greek capital.

Greece has been roiled by hundreds of wildfires this month, on the heels of its most severe heat wave in decades, which left its forests tinder dry. Other Mediterranean countries — Turkey, Italy, Algeria and Spain among them — have suffered similar problems.

A wildfire burns next to a house in the village of Synterina, near Athens, on 16 August. Photo: Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP/Getty Images.

The worst of the two blazes that erupted on Monday was in the Vilia area northwest of the Greek capital, which triggered an evacuation alert for eight villages. Greece’s minister for public order, Michalis Chrysochoidis, said the flames were coursing through a densely forested area with scattered villages, none of which were in direct danger.

“We are trying to stop the fire from spreading” towards the nearby large village of Vilia, he said.

A volunteer operates during a wildfire in Siderina village about 55 kilometers (34 miles) south of Athens, Greece, Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis.

That blaze was being fought by 240 firefighters — including 143 from Poland — supported by eight water-dropping planes and nine helicopters.

Another fire broke out earlier in the Keratea region southeast of Athens, burning shrubland and threatening a national park in the Sounion area. Three communities were ordered evacuated. Some residents desperately drenched their homes, while volunteers with hoses and branches helped fight the fires. More than 100 firefighters, eight water-dropping planes and 11 helicopters were striving to contain the blaze, which appeared to be on the wane by evening.

Volunteers try to extinguish a wildfire burning in the village of Markati, near Athens, on 16 August. Photo: Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters.

“Right now the situation there has improved, there are scattered active fires within the perimeter and efforts are continuing to contain them,” Chrysohoidis said.

Local mayor Dimitris Loukas told Greek television that authorities were investigating reports of arson. He said residents had seen someone in a car setting a dumpster on fire.

Source: AP News.

‘I will be scrutinised’: Maria Alexiadis named the first ever female President of Karate Victoria

Andriana Simos
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‘I will be scrutinised’: Maria Alexiadis named the first ever female President of Karate Victoria

Maria Alexiadis keeps breaking glass ceilings after being named the first ever female President of Karate Victoria (KV), the peak representative body of Karate in Victoria.

Alexiadis will be taking over from outgoing President, John Frazzetto, after he withdrew his nomination from the organisation’s recent Annual General Meeting.

READ MORE: Maria Alexiadis OAM: Part-time scientist, part-time Kumite sensei.

To mark this incredible achievement, The Greek Herald spoke to Alexiadis about her future plans for KV.

1. How does it feel to be named the first female President of KV?

It feels both good and bad. It is sad that it has taken so long for a female to become president and that this [gender] is even a thing in 2021. In fact, there are individuals out there that still don’t like it and don’t really believe I can do it but overall, it is a positive for an organisation like KV. 

I know I will be scrutinised and will probably have to work twice as hard as a male counterpart to prove myself, but I’ve never shied away from pressure or hard work and criticism only makes me stronger. Overall, I’m really excited to be leading an organisation and sport I’m so passionate about and one where I have worked tirelessly to help improve and grow. I look forward to this challenge and making an even bigger impact on what I consider to be one of the best sports in the world!

Maria with outgoing KV President, John Frazzetto.

2. Tell us a little bit about the work of KV?

KV’s purpose is to provide a safe, inclusive and healthy sport that inspires and enables our members to achieve excellence in Karate and in life. We do this by offering athletes the chance to compete at state, national and international levels across tournaments that include the Senior World Championships, Cadet / Junior / U21 World Championships, Karate 1 Series A and Premier League events.  

Karate Victoria’s involvement in these and many other tournaments is powered by our affiliation with organisations such as the Australian Karate Federation (AKF), the World Karate Federation (WKF) and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

We want to diffuse true Karate to the community; to foster Karate on a national level and encourage community health and welfare by ensuring karate is accessible to all.

Karate Victoria stands by the principle that constant development and improvement of both body and mind distinguishes karate-do from other sports. It is through the reinforcement of karate-do’s traditional values – respect, honesty, loyalty, discipline, trust, perseverance, and courtesy – along with our provision of coaching accreditation courses, seminars and training clinics, that provides the environment necessary for individuals to succeed and excel.

Maria Alexiadis (right) has been involved with KV for over 30 years.

3. How long have you been involved with KV?

I’ve been involved with KV for over 30 years. I started out as an athlete on the state team and then made my first national team in 1999. In 2009, I, along with 2 other females, made history as the first female state coaches for KV.  

From there, I helped develop female development days and coaching development days. I then got onto the KV Executive Committee as Secretary in 2015. Initially I had no idea what I was doing or what my role entailed, but I wanted to help improve our sport.  

I faced many challenges in my sport as a female athlete and really didn’t want any other athlete going through what I went through. I felt accepting the position on the Executive Committee would be the best way to help make changes/improvements. It was a steep learning curve into the world of sport’s administration.

4. What are your future plans for KV?

My vision for Karate Victoria is for it to become a fulltime sporting organisation known for its integrity, inclusivity, professionalism and success. I personally would like to see our clubs, athletes, families and fans work together more effectively to promote and champion the benefits of our sport to the wider community and use that to enable more Victorians to take up our sport.

I would like to see our sport engage with and become more accessible to women and girls, those with disabilities, those from different cultures and the elderly. I would also like to see us develop world class programs from grassroots through to the pinnacle of elite international competition and provide more support for those achieving international sporting success that help us to engender national pride and inspiration.

Karate and all those individuals in our organisation have the power to improve the health and wellbeing of all Victorians, make communities stronger and drive positive change.

‘Underdog candidacy’: Drew Pavlou on running for Senate at the next federal election

The Greek Herald
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‘Underdog candidacy’: Drew Pavlou on running for Senate at the next federal election

22-year-old, Drew Pavlou, was suspended from the University of Queensland last year for protesting against Chinese government influence on Australian university campuses.

His case received international attention and he became a martyr of free speech as his actions enraged the Chinese Communist Party.

Now, over a year later, he’s opened up to The Australian about his new life after going through a “really dark place.”

“Now that I look back on it, I was just so agitated at the time and I was probably quite unwell mentally,” Pavlou told The Australian from his ­parents’ home in Coorparoo, Brisbane.

Drew Pavlou. Picture: Justine Walpole.

“I was ­trying to show a brave face and tough-guy image because, like, I didn’t want to ever be seen as weak… I haven’t talked about this much in the media. I think it got to a point where I did have a sort of breakdown.

“Mentally, I was in a really dark place. I really wanted to die at certain points. Not to the point of taking my own life, but if I got struck down by lightning or if I got hit by a car or something like that, that’d be fine.”

Despite this, Pavlou says he’s getting his life back on track and has resumed the final leg of his Arts degree at The University of Queensland. He’s also reconnected to the Greek Orthodox Community of St George, where he was baptised.

“I have rekindled my Christian faith. That became a big thing for me in trying to remove the hubris, in trying to see something above myself… I’d been quite spiritual when I was younger,” Pavlou said.

“For me, it was always just about the fact that it’s founded on love and compassion… that was my experience of it when I was younger. And I guess I lost that a bit when I grew older and went to university. I’d just gone away from that, sort of drifted away from it.”

With this new outlook on life, his latest plans are to now form his own party and run for the Senate at the next federal election. 

“It’s very much an underdog candidacy. I like the David-versus-Goliath odds. Never say never, right? I’m just going to try and sell a positive vision,” he said to The Australian.

“I’m going to explain my beliefs, how they’re founded very much on humanitarian ­values, how I want a fair economy, how I want to put human rights at the centre of Australia’s foreign policy. I’m not going to be doing the crazy aggressive attacks that I was sort of known for.”

Source: The Australian.

Halimah Kyrgios stuns with amazing singing talent on The Voice Australia 2021

Andriana Simos
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Halimah Kyrgios stuns with amazing singing talent on The Voice Australia 2021

Halimah Kyrgios stepped out from her brother’s shadow on The Voice Australia last night, wowing the judges and crowd with her stunning rendition of Tina Arena’s classic song, Chains.

Ahead of her audition, the Canberra raised singer made it clear she wasn’t the only family member with big ambitions, but admitted she wasn’t as “out there” as her “little” brother, tennis star Nick Kyrgios.

“Having Nick in the limelight, it’s been a good and a bad thing. There is added pressure,” Halimah said in her pre-audition tape.

Halimah with her brother, Nick Kyrgios.

“Growing up we were always together, he was also singing and dancing, but then he just had a natural gift for tennis. I look to him a lot for inspiration, because he’s such a fighter — everyone knows he battles for everything. So even though he’s much younger than me I think if he can do it, then what’s stopping me?”

What followed was one of The Voice’s top performances of the night, with Halimah turning the chairs of all four judges – Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Keith Urban and Rita Ora.

Ora quizzed the singer if she had a penchant for musical theatre and Halimah confirmed she has travelled around the world performing in musicals.

“You can tell because your stamina is really fantastic,” Ora remarked. “It felt so natural for you. I’m a fan of yours.”

Sebastian cheekily added: “You are seriously talented, as is your brother.”

Just before Halimah decided which coach she was going to choose to take her through the next round of the singing competition, Nick himself popped up on the video along with her mum and dad.

Nick Kyrgios was there to support his sister. Picture: Channel 7.

“I just flew back from Sydney so I missed it,” Nick laughed but agreed his older sister was always “amazing.”

In the end, Halimah couldn’t help but be a complete fan-girl and went with the international superstar Ora, who saw it as a huge honour to have the singer on her team.

“I did not expect her to pick me, I’m really flattered. That’s an Australian song, a classic and I’m glad she trusts me. There’s a lot we can do together,” Rita told the camera, before admitting there was a bit of flirting going on between herself and Nick.

Bill Kollatos’ company that delivers fresh food nationally has collapsed

The Greek Herald
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Bill Kollatos’ company that delivers fresh food nationally has collapsed

A national fresh food distribution company has gone bust, with its devastated boss blaming “snap lockdowns” for sending the business to the wall.

In2food, which also trades as Yarra Valley Farms Australia, delivered the hammer blow to staff late on Friday afternoon, The Daily Telegraph reports.

They were told that receivers FTI Consulting had been appointed, with plans to keep the limping business afloat until a new buyer was found.

In2food Australia chief executive, Bill Kollatos, tried to soften the distress of staff with a letter attached to the receivers’ circular and seen by The Daily Telegraph.

“The disruption of snap lockdowns in multiple states in combination with the problematic retail journey within the Ready To Eat meals category, has left us with no choice but to enter into Voluntary Administration,” Mr Kollatos said in the letter.

Bill Kollatos is the CEO of In2Food. Source: Twitter.

“In consultation with our lender, they have appointed a receiver to trade the business and undertake a recapitalisation/sale process.”

In2food supplied supermarkets, hospitals, aged care, retailers, airlines and restaurants with fresh farm foods.

The company will continue to trade during the administration period, with no job cuts announced in Friday’s statement, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Mr Kollatos said he was determined to keep the business going with the help of the administration process and the support of the company’s lender.

“We strongly hold to the belief that the collective support of all stakeholders through a short period of disruption will restore the business back to its core strengths and will continue to provide employment, opportunity for suppliers to grow, and a great value proposition to its customers,” he said.

Source: The Daily Telegraph.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese confirms All Saints Grammar gym to be pop-up vaccination centre

The Greek Herald
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese confirms All Saints Grammar gym to be pop-up vaccination centre

After The Greek Herald reported this morning that the facilities of All Saints Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Belmore would become a pop-up vaccination clinic, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia released the following statement this afternoon:

The Greek Orthodox Church in Australia actively supports the vaccination program:

The Holy Archdiocese of Australia through the Parish – Community of All Saints in Belmore, Sydney, is making a practical contribution to accelerating the vaccination program against Covid-19, which is being implemented by NSW Health.

For three days, from Wednesday 18th to Friday 20th August, the indoor gym of the Greek Orthodox College of All Saints Grammar will be provided free of charge for its operation as a pop-up vaccination centre. The large area, as well as the easy accessibility of the location, make it suitable to facilitate the work of the health practitioners in carrying out simultaneous mass vaccinations.

The opening hours of the vaccination centre on each of the three days will be from 10am until 4pm. It is estimated that approximately 450 vaccine doses will be administered daily.

The Department of Health will provide the necessary health and support staff, while volunteers from the local parish will be there to help out.

The Holy Archdiocese of Australia reaffirms its willingness to cooperate with the relevant authorities and to contribute through all appropriate means to the successful implementation of the vaccination program. His Eminence Archbishop Makarios urges everyone, Greeks and non-Greeks alike, to support this effort, each according to their position and strength, with the aim of overcoming the current pandemic as quickly as possible.

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